Edward Rasiulis

Jansz Premium Sparkling Rosé, Traditional Method, Tasmania

Pale salmon in colour with fine mousse & medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: If I tried this sparkling blind I would have said that’s it’s made in the classic champagne method. The wine features toasty brioche, strawberry, apple crumble pie, pink grapefruit, lemon, orange rind & limestone. Medium body with good acidly & fairly long length.

Negatives: Some sour notes on the finish. Drink now on its own or pair it with cheese & tomato omelette.

Tasted: 29 Apr 12

Score: 9/10, Value: 8.5+/10, Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Stags' Leap Winery Viognier 2011, Napa Valley

Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: A nice Viognier that reminds me more of the Argentine Torrontes. This wine features peach, nectarine, tangerine peel, lemon, grapefruit, limestone and a touch of rosemary. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next 3 years, on its own or pair it with deviled eggs.

Tasted: 10 Dec 12

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10, Total: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

Château De Landiras 2010, Ac Graves

Dark garnet to ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

A juicy & delicious wine from the Graves region.

Positives: Nothing shy about this wine which features cedar, blackcurrants, cinnamon, dark chocolate, Kahlua, raspberry, cigar box, turmeric, graphite, and spinach leaves. Full body with medium to medium+ tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: ‘In 1173, William the Knight Templar, Archbishop of Bordeaux, bought the land of Landiras and the fortress previously built by the lords of Landiras. In 1306, the castle of Landiras was rebuilt on the ruins of the fortress. This château gave its name to the estate, Château de Landiras. Today, a magnificent barbican stands as a testimony of the past fame of Château de Landiras. During the 17th century, the Château used to be the residence of the most important owner of all times, Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac, founder of the order The Company of Mary Our Lady. This is the reason why the Château is still a place for pilgrimage.’ (Chateau Landiras)

Drink now or over the next 5 year on its own or pair it with Roquefort cheese

Tasted: 17 Aug 2013

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Blue Mountain Gold Label Brut Sparkling, Traditional Method, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

Gold with a touch if copper in colour with medium intensity & fine mousse. This sparkling smells & taste like fine Champagne, but at least half the price & it's Canadian! This sparkling shows notes of baked apple, yeast, pine nuts, brioche, lemon and lime stone.

Tasted 5 Aug 11

Top Pick

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9.5/10, Total: 19/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

Sperling Vineyards Old Vine Foch 2010, Okanagan Valley

Medium+ ruby to garnet in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

In comparing this to their reserve Foch, this one is lighter in taste but higher in alcohol. If you had to choose, I would go with the reserve for the extra money.

Positive Notes: A flavorful wine featuring prunes, brambleberry fruit, figs and pastrami. Medium+ body with medium to Medium+ tannins, good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: A touch hot on the taste

Drink now on its own or over the next 3 years and pair it with venison.

Tasted: 13 June 13

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 Total: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

Saint Clair Pioneer Block 10 Chardonnay 2010, Marlborough, South Island

Bright gold in colour with a medium intense nose.

This Chard could compete with wines double its price

Positives: This wine features medium toasted spicy oak, lemon, pineapple, peach, Northern Spy apple, ginger, caramelized sugar & roasted marshmallow. Full body and with good acidity, a long length & the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Single vineyard whose grapes were mostly handpicked.

Drink now or over the next 7 years on its own or pair it with Cornish hen.

Tasted: 7 February 2014

Top Pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9+/10 (Clearance Price 10/10) Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

Frei Brothers Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2011, Alexander Valley

Medium+ ruby to garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

This smooth & velvety wine shows multiple layers of flavours that are usually found in California Cabs priced over $40

Positives: This complex wine features cedar, black currants, mulberry, anise, cassis, blackberry, dark cherry, turmeric, pencil shavings, cinnamon, cloves, arugula, oregano & leather. Full body with medium+ tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: There’s some heat from the 14.2% alcohol

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or and pair it with grilled rib-eye steak.

Tasted: 5 July 2014

Best Buy & Top Pick

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9.5/10, Total: 19/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

Loan Wines Special Reserve Semillon 2005, Unoaked, Barossa Valley, South Australia

A good alternative to a Chard, but it will only please the discerning

Description: Bright yellow gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This unoaked wine features bees wax, tangerine, orange rind, lemon tart, golden apple and grapefruit. Medium body with good acidity and a very long length (The flavour was still in my mouth after 5 min).

Negatives: None

Interesting Points: Found it was best in the Viognier glassware.

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with conch ceviche.

Tasted: 7 Aug 2014

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9+/10 Total: 18+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Reininger Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Walla Walla Valley

A quality cab with some kick to it

Description: Medium+ ruby in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features cedar, dark and sour cherries, plums, red currents, thyme, cassis, turmeric, graphite, Allspice, cinnamon, cloves, peppers and leather. Full body with medium+ tannins, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Same wine sells for $45 at the winery

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with Pan-Roasted Veal Chops with Cabernet Sauce.

Tasted: 27 Nov 2014

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9+/10 (Sale price 9.5/10), Total: 19+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

Gloria Ferrer Chardonnay 2011, Carneros, Sonoma County

A delightful, balanced, good quality Carneros Chard for under $25 & under 14% alcohol

Description: Bright light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toast, lemon rind, oak spice, Anjou pear, green apple, peach, clove, nutmeg, pink grapefruit, vanilla bean and a touch of caramel. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Recommended serving temperature is 12-16 C or 54-61 F

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Olive Leaf Pasta with Nutmeg Cream Sauce.

Tasted: 31 March 2015

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9+/10 (Clearance Price: 9.5+/10) Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+